Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-11-04
Washington Letter.
From Our Special Correspondent

WASHINGTON. Nov. 3. 1887
As the time for the assembling of Congress
draws near, Washington has emerged from
her summer siesta and Is in the midst of an
era of preparation for the advent of as
sembled wisdom at the Capitol. The dawn
of the approaching season is unusually
radiant. 1t already reflects its glow over the
whole city, and is prophetic of a reign OF
politics and gayety such as will cast shadow
over remembrance of preceding Congress
sional sessions. Many of the people who
possess wealth. culture, and leisure. and
make Washington their winter resort, have
already returned. TAey will soon be fol-
lowed by general rush from all parts of the
country Then the ball begins. Congress
and society will vie for supremacy The
former will interest, the latter will dazzle.
The power of society in Washington has to
be seen to be appreciated. IL eIerts strong
control even over official life and its power
cannot be broken or dissembled. Ii reigns
over Congress in that it lures both represen-
tative and senator away from their duties at
the Capitol. Not infrequently does the
House Of Representative await quorum
in the enjoyment of high tea or ball
at Mrs. Secretary So-and-So's. and
returned captive by the Sergeant-at-Arms.
The monarchs of this power-the society lead
ers--will strain every nerve thi, season 10 in
crease it, magnetism, and they promise a
succession of entertainments on scale that
has not heretofore been attempted Gossip
is the ambassador and minister plenipoten-
tiary of the social world. This wear she tells
of the mysterious costumes and surprises that
will astound the oldest inhabitants and add
greatly to the .plendor of the display. Be
tween Vanity Fair and the National Legisla-
tire there will be nothing dormant in Wash
ngt0n the coming fall and winter, from the
first whr after Monday December 9TH, to
the intermission which ensues when the
mantle of Lent is thrown over society.
All Washington, and By that | mean the
combination of social and official life at the
Capitol, has been to the races the past week.
The race season j. indeed a gala time here.
Fashion with its modern tastes, is great
patron of the turf and fashion nowhere rules
with greater sway than in her own strong
hold at the Capitol of the Nation. Here a
comparatively great proportion of the popula-
ton can afford To enjoy themselves without
regard to cost Ergo, they all go to the races
anu lose liltiT HiDNfN iltdlN VI bt-
partments, Chiefs of Bureau. down to the
$500 clerk, may all be seen lowering about
the book makers, posing on the quarter
stretch for the admiration of the ladies ON
the grand stand while the diplomatic dudes
promenade with usual wont in front of the
the crowd. As they strutted up and down
the past week, they seemed to feel that every
eye was upon them nor were they mistaken.
The cut of their trousers, the shape of their
collars and their Kaleidoscope neckties
usually afford much amusement. The diplo-
mat must be classed in the eccentric family
of the genRs homo. for both in his face and
dress he seems to present in combination the
fashions of Paris, London, Berlin and st.
Petersburg,
IprOpoS of the races the fact is lately
developed that there are as many fine teams
and equipages in Washington are to be
found anywhere. Time was when hand
some turnout or fine span of horses was a
rarity upon the streets of the Capitol, one
involuntarily turned to look after the unusual
sight Now. however, such state of things
no longer exists The miles of asphalt and
smooth pavements are fairly alive during the
winter, the elegant teams driven for the best
part by their respective owners Gen. Beali,
on his fine farm ust outside the city limits,
keeps so many fine horses that, were he so
minded, it would be possible to appear with u
new team every day for considerable length
of time The President has handsome team
of blacks, and Secretary Bayard's fayorlte
steed is large powerful bay, mounted upon
which it is no infrequent sight to see him
riding quietly along some unfrequented coun-
try road, half the time with his own thoughts
for sole companions.
The President is engaged in the prepare
ton of his annual message to Congress. 1t
goes without saying, that his chief topic will
be the tariff problem and the question of "A
reduction of the surplus. 1t is also probable
that there will again be something said upon
Civil Service Reform. While the present
Civil Service Reform laws have diminished
the howl of the office-seekers and made life
endurable at the Departments. they are still
regarded as very imperfect and afford many
loop-holes through which the willy ofiice-seek-
err manages To crawl